Title
a. Consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to adopt the 2026 Legislative Program, approve the 2026 Legislative Workshop agenda; authorize the development and submission of potential State Budget and Federal Appropriation requests, and approve the 2026 Strategic Grant Services Program;
b. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP on federal legislative advocacy;
c. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP on state legislative advocacy;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP on grant activities; and
e. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to adopt the 2026 Legislative Program, approve the 2026 Legislative Workshop agenda; authorize the development and submission of potential State Budget and Federal Appropriation requests, and approve the 2026 Strategic Grant Services Program;
b. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP on federal legislative advocacy;
c. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP on state legislative advocacy;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP on grant activities; and
e. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
At the recommendation of the Legislative Committee, staff has prepared the 2026 Legislative Program, 2026 Legislative Workshop Agenda, 2026 Strategic Grant Services Program, and a list of potential projects for development and submission (if offered that opportunity) through the State Budget and Federal Appropriations process. On December 8, 2025, the Legislative Committee recommended these actions to the Board.
The program documents are updated annually and, once adopted, guide the County’s legislative and funding advocacy efforts throughout the year. Additionally, the Board will receive annual reports from the County’s state and federal legislative and funding advocates summarizing 2025 activities and identifying potential major issues in 2026.
DISCUSSION:
The County Administrative Office is charged with the development and execution of the County’s Legislative and Strategic Grant Services Programs. Each year, staff work with the Board, County departments, and the County’s state and federal legislative and funding advocates, under the recommendation of the Legislative Committee to craft the programs. The programs are designed to support the Board’s priorities and work together to advocate for funding through state and federal programs which translate into local grant funding opportunities.
2026 Legislative Program
Every other year the Board adopts a two-year legislative program which aligns with the two-year cycles of the State Legislature and Congress (we are currently in year two of that cycle). The County maintains a long-standing and successful Legislative Program, which ensures that County interests are well represented in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The program provides the County a voice in State and Federal funding and policy decision-making and ensures that County leaders are apprised of evolving initiatives impacting the County and its residents. Once adopted, the program provides authority to advocate in support or defense of issues, enabling actions to be taken quickly to protect or defend the County’s interests.
The program addresses a multitude of County priorities related to economic development, administration, health and human services, infrastructure, and public safety. County policy concerns are most often centered on resources to carry out state and local service responsibilities, the authority to carry out those responsibilities in local communities, and partnerships with the State and Federal governments. The program also highlights several top legislative and funding project priorities to focus on in 2026, which notably haven’t changed significantly between 2025 and now as we are in year two of the two-year program.
2025 Legislative Workshop Agenda
Annually, the Board hosts a Legislative Workshop (a special meeting) with the County’s state and federal legislative representatives to discuss priority issues for upcoming year. The 2026 Workshop will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers (168 W. Alisal St., Salinas, CA) and via Zoom.
Participants include the Board of Supervisors, appropriate County department heads, and the following elected officials and/or their staff representatives: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla; U.S. Senator Adam Schiff; Congressman Jimmy Panetta; Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren; Senator John Laird; Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas; and Assemblymember Dawn Addis.
The proposed workshop agenda focuses on presentations on the County’s 2026 Legislative Priorities by County departments, remarks from each state/federal legislator or their staff representative on their priorities for 2026, and remarks from each member of the Board of Supervisors.
State Budget Requests
It is currently unknown if the County will be invited to submit State Budget requests, and if so, submissions will likely be limited. If invited to participate, the Legislative Committee recommends the following projects, in order of priority:
1. San Lucas Clean Drinking Water Project - $TBD
2. Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs Safety Projects - $TBD
3. Scenic Road Protective Structure Project -$7M
Federal Appropriation Requests
In 2021, Congress revived federal appropriation requests (earmarks), currently referred to as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests in the Senate and Community Project Funding (CPF) requests in the House.
It is unknown if the County will be invited to submit requests in the FY27 appropriations cycle. Project submission requirements are quite rigorous including detailed project summaries and descriptions, funding details, demonstration of community support, estimated start and completion dates, etc. Pending further guidance from Congress, the Legislative Committee recommends the County proceed as if an opportunity will be available so that we can liaise with appropriate congressional staff and be prepared to submit requests quickly if the process opens, potentially as early as March 2026.
The Legislative Committee further recommends that the Board authorize the County’s legislative team to work with County departments and our federal delegation to develop the following projects for submission in the FY27 appropriations process. In order of priority, these projects are:
1. San Lucas Clean Drinking Water Project - $TBD
2. Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs Safety Projects - $TBD
3. Reclamation Ditch Restoration Project- $500,000
4. Salinas Regional Soccer Complex - $TBD
5. Porter-Vallejo & Mansion Historical Restoration Project- $3,500,000
6. Nacimiento Lake Drive Repaving Project - $2.1 million
7. Salinas Skate Park and BMX Pump Track - $500,000
These projects are not new to the county but have been updated in terms of scope, cost, and data.
2026 Strategic Grant Services Program
The Strategic Grant Services Program assists in funding efforts on some of the County’s high priority projects. Working with County departments, the program coordinates, facilitates and provides strategic expertise from the identification of grant funding opportunities through application submittal. Projects must align with the Board’s priorities and Legislative Program goals and meet all grant requirements to submit a strong and competitive application.
The 2026 program is resourced to work on 10-15 grants annually, depending on complexity. Once adopted by the Board, the Legislative Committee provides routine program guidance and recommendations. The program consists of a 12-month Work Plan and a Grant Needs Inventory to guide research for potential funding opportunities.
Annual Reports
The annual reports from the federal and state legislative advocates and grant consultants highlight activities undertaken on behalf of the County during 2025. Oral presentations will be -provided to the Board on January 27, with a focus on anticipated major issues or projects for 2026. Reports will be provided by:
• Maria Tripplaar and Katlyn Koegel, Ballard Spahr LLP - federal legislative advocates
• Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - state legislative advocates
• Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - grant consultants
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The report and associated program materials were developed in collaboration with
the Legislative Committee, County departments, and the state and federal legislative advocates and grant consultants.
FINANCING:
The Legislative and Strategic Grant Services Programs are funded by the County Administrative Office. Approval of the recommendations contained in this report will have no impact on the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The Legislative and Strategic Grants Services Programs work to advance all goals of the Board’s Strategic Plan.
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Nicole Hollingsworth, Legislative Program Manager, x3044
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, x5145
Attachments:
• Exhibit A 2026 Legislative Program
• Exhibit B 2026 Legislative Program - redline version
• Exhibit C 2026 Legislative Workshop Agenda
• Exhibit D 2027 Federal Appropriations Requests - Short Project Descriptions
• Exhibit E 2026 Strategic Grant Services Program
• Exhibit F 2025 Annual Federal Legislative Report
• Exhibit G 2025 Annual State Legislative Report
• Exhibit H 2025 Annual Strategic Grant Services Program Report
• PowerPoint Presentation